Focaccia Bread

I was looking for something new to bake and chance upon a recipe for the Focaccia Bread.

It is an Italian bread. There are various variants, slight variations to the olive oil content and to the flavourings or toppings. You could use Focaccia Bread as a pizza base, eat it on its own or use it for sandwiches. You can top it with cheese too.

The recipe that I am using is oily but with the heavy use of the olive oil you do get a very tasty crust. I did some amendments to the amount of olive oil and to the herbs that I use, as we practically could not find these fresh herbs here in Malaysia, especially in Alor Setar.

Focaccia Bread Recipe

Ingredients

300 gm bread flour

1tsp salt

1 tsp yeast

½ tabsp  sugar

2 tabsp extra virgin olive oil plus 1 tabsp herb oil (instead of 3 tabsp olive oil)

200 ml water

Olive oil for greasing your tray

Herb Oil  

2 ½ tabsp extra virgin olive oil (1 ½ for spreading on top of the dough before baking)

2 tsp dried herbs (plump the herbs in a little hot water)

(I used mixed dried herbs which consisted of mixture of Oregano, Rosemary, Sage,      

Thyme, Basil, Savory and Majoram, bought all packed in a bottle from the supermarket)

2 tsp freshly ground/pressed garlic

 

Preparation

1.   As usual I prepare a yeast starter dough, using 50 ml warm water, 1 tsp yeast and ½

      tabsp sugar. Let the yeast mixture rise for 10-20 mins.

2.   Mix together the bread flour and salt.

3.   Mix together the herb oil (heated to 100 deg. C) and add 1 tabsp to the flour.

4.   Add another 2 tabsp of extra virgin olive oil to the flour mixture.

5.   Add starter dough to the flour mixture.

6.   Add the balance of water. Leave some and check that it is pliable and of the right consistency.

7.   Knead well for about 10 mins.

8.   Cover the dough and let rise in a warm place for 1 hr. or double tin size. 

9.   Liberally oil a baking tray with olive oil (about 1 tabsp)

10. Punch down the dough to knock down the air and spread it out on the baking tray.
      Press out but do not pull too much.

 

11. Cover and let rise again till double in size.

12. Preheat the oven to 425 deg. Depending on your oven, or tray(s) and if

      you prefer something really crispy, you could even try for 450 deg. This would

      also depend on the thickness of your dough. I prefer mine, crisp on the outside and

      soft on the inside, besides with my tray of diameter 9 inches, the dough is not spread

      thin. Just the way I like it.

13. While preheating the oven, use your finger to poke the dough to make regular, little holes.

14. Liberally spread herb oil on the dough.

15. Bake for 20 to 25 mins. till golden brown. (depending on your tray and oven too).

      Turn your baking tray 180 deg around half time.

16. Cool your Focaccia bread before cutting.

I used a round stainless steel plate, which does not brown as fast as a baking tray, thus calling for some additional time. I like to eat the bread as it is, and it is fabulous.I love it. You could use a 10” x 13” tray. Normally, a rectangular baking tray is used for Focaccia Bread.

Recipe adapted from Michelle, The Brown Eyed Baker

Private Retirement Scheme (PRS)

Unless you belong to the super rich, most of us would welcome an opportunity to further increase their retirement funds.

The Private Retirement Scheme, for any individual was recently launched. It is good for individuals who do not have EPF contributions for their retirement or do not have sufficient funds for their retirement.

The scheme comes under the purview of the Securities Commission. The Capital Market Services Act 2007 (CMSA), the Capital Market Services(Private Retirement Scheme Industry) Regulations 2012 and the PRS Guidelines form the framework governing the PRS Industry in Malaysia.

It is a voluntary investment/savings scheme that would allow employees and the self-employed to save and contribute more toward their retirement nest egg. This is supplementary and additional to the statutory EPF contributions, and will help in enlarging the retirement nest egg, particularly in view of the longer life expectancy and rising cost of living.

The PRS will be available to the public by end of the year.(how about Sept/Oct?)

Contributors/Members

It is available for Malaysians and foreigners 18 years and above.

It is something that employers could use as an incentive to attract and retain talent. Contributions to the PRS are in addition to EPF contributions and tax deductions can be above the 19% tax deductible EPF contributions.

For employees, persuade your kind and understanding bosses to contribute to the scheme…It would work to their benefit too in the longer term besides, they can lay claim to being one of the first to offer such incentives to their employees….

All individuals who invest in a PRS product are entitled to a tax relief of up to RM3, 000 per year. (this will be for 10 years).

Individuals have the option to contribute any amount (although providers may specify a minimum amount) and contributions do not have to be on a fixed basis. No fixed amount, no fixed time interval. However, it is advisable to follow a Ringgit-cost-averaging to smooth out price fluctuations. (meaning, best to contribute on a regular basis).

Members will have to open a PRS account. The account could be opened through your PRS Provider or with PPA. (Private Pension Administrator). You can choose more than one PRS Provider and contribute to more than one fund. The account structure is split into:

 i)                  PRS Account A

with 70% of contributions made and 

The amount accumulated in PRS Account A have to be kept till retirement age or if the member leaves the country permanently

ii)                   PRS Account B

With 30 % of contributions made.

You can only withdraw once a year from PRS Account B and your first withdrawal has to be a year from your first contribution.  How much can you withdraw? Any amount but you will have to pay a penalty tax of 8% on your withdrawals and a fee of RM25 for each withdrawal.

PRS Providers

PRS Providers (Fund management companies) need to get their approval from the Securities Commission to launch their schemes.

AmInvestment Management Sdn Bhd American International Assurance Bhd CIMB-Principal Asset Management Bhd Hwang Investment Management Bhd          ING Funds Bhd                                    Manulife Unit Trust Bhd Public Mutual Bhd RHB Investment Management Sdn Bhd

these are the 8 currently approved PRS Providers

  

As a start, employees or individuals have a choice of selection of at least 24 conventional/core funds provided by the approved 8 PRS Providers, (investment fund managers) and these would be available to the public from September 2012. These fund providers are licensed and approved by the Securities Commission.

Each PRS provider will provide a range of investment funds for individuals to choose according to their risk appetite, retirement needs and time line.

Each PRS provider will have a minimum 3 core funds catering for growth, moderate and conservative risk profiles.

For feasible reasons and to be pragmatic, PRS providers are permitted under the Securities Commission guidelines, to channel contributions to their existing feeder funds (unit trust funds or investment-linked funds) in the early years. This is during the early stage of development as the fund’s size will take some time to grow to a size where they are able to invest directly in the asset classes.

If a person opens and contributes to a PRS account and has selected his/her PRS provider without indicating his/her investment choice, the default investment choice will be selected for the individual as indicated below:

	Growth Fund	Moderate Fund	Conservative Fund
Age Group	Below 40 years of age	40 – 50 years of age	Above 50 years of Age
Parameters	Maximum 70% Equities Investment outside Malaysia is permitted	Maximum 60% Equities Investment outside Malaysia is permitted	80% in debentures/fixed income instruments of which 20% must be in money market instruments and a maximum of 20% in equity Investment outside Malaysia is not permitted

Source : Private Pension Administrator

The returns from contributions made to PRS are not guaranteed and will depend on the performance of the PRS funds. There are always risks to investments and returns almost always commensurate with risks.

Investment policies of the funds are guided by the PRS Guidelines consistent with prudent spread of risks and to develop a retirement fund. PRS funds can invest directly in real estate, this is unlike unit trusts.

All income received are tax exempted. Switching funds within a PRS Provider is permitted. Change of PRS Provider is subject to terms imposed by the Provider, but experts advise to stay with a provider for a minimum of three years.

The upfront fee for PRS funds is capped at a maximum 3%.

Members’ assets are protected under the controls of an independent trustee company

PRS distributors require approval of the SC to operate and will be subject to on-going regulatory requirements and supervision

 

Private Pension Administrator (PPA)

The Private Pension Administrator (PPA), regulated by the Securities Commission will oversee the PRS providers or fund managers. Its administrative functions would include, taking care of the database, essentially keeping records of all transactions by contributors. Contributors can extend their queries to PPA.

Happy Retirement

I am sure the people at large, are appreciative of this scheme. To ensure the scheme is a success, the interests of members are to be safeguarded. Regulations, adequate guidelines and supervision would ensure the goals and objectives of members are realized. More importantly, those charged with the requisite mandate must always bear in mind the long term objective of members.

To find out more on Private Retirement Scheme (PRS) kindly click on the following links:
 

http://sc.com.my/       or            http://www.ppa.my/

 

Nature's Canvas 1

When I bought my camera, I did not think that I will be using the camera much.

Maybe a few shots when traveling, but that’s about it.

I am still an amateur when taking pictures, but I would say that I have progressed a notch up to Grade 2 after taking these beautiful sights from my little garden.

 

 Hope you enjoy them as much as I do. :-D

Walnut Raisin Bread

I had not planned to do any baking that morning but it was such a waste of some extra time since I had got up earlier than usual. Besides, I had bought some walnuts, but have yet to get active with the walnuts that I had toasted.

Toast walnuts at 375 degree for 5-10 minutes on foil/parchment paper till fragrant. Be careful not to over brown them. Keep them fresh in a jar for later use.

Looking through my recipes and bread ingredients, I found that I am short of 100 gm of bread flour. Not to be deterred, I substituted the shortage with wheat flour, and it turned out just great.

Walnut Raisin Bread

Ingredients :

300 g high protein flour or 200 g bread flour and 100 g wheat flour

7 g active yeast (2 ¼ tsp)

½ yolk (original recipe is 1 yolk)

40 g castor sugar

¼ tsp salt

140 g water

50 g walnuts coarsely chopped, 50 g raisins

3 tabsp olive oil (original recipe is 20 g butter)

3 extra walnuts, chopped, for decoration

3 tabsp water and 1 tsp red wine (original recipe is 2 tabsp orange juice or rum), I add an extra tabsp water to replace the half egg yolk

¼ tap instant coffee granules (omitted by leehwa)

10 g milk powder (omitted by leehwa)

The reason, I substituted the butter with olive oil and omitted the milk powder is that my hubby does not take milk products (even a teeny bit) and does not like eggs in his bread. I do not like to use margarine, a trans fat which is not so healthy.

I find the consistency a bit wet when I add the 3 tabsp of water, otherwise it is pretty dry from but then I find difficult to handle dough always taste so much better.

Method : (as modified by leehwa)

1. Prepare starter dough with some sugar, yeast and 40 gm water. 
2. Allow it to ferment well for about 10 mins.
3. Combine the rest of the dry ingredients together. ( flours, sugar and salt). Add int the egg yolk.
4. Mix in the olive oil and water gradually. (including rum mixture if using)
5. Knead well till smooth and elastic.
6. Spread or roll out dough a little and spread the raisings and walnuts on the dough.
7. Knead lightly, shape into a round ball and leaving in a oiled bowl, covered with a piece of damp tea-towel. Let it proof for about 40 minutes or double in size.
8. Punch down dough and divide into 4 equal portions.
9. Roll into long buns, leave aside on a lightly greased try. Let it proof for another 30 minutes or double in size.
10. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with the extra chopped walnuts. (you could brush with milk or egg mixture too).
11. Bake at 375 deg/190 deg. for 15 to 20 mins. or until cooked.

They tasted just great, soft and fragrant. You could reduce walnuts a little if you do not like their slightly natural bitter taste. It’s a yummy!

Dry Sambal Prawns

Ingredients :

300 gm white fresh sea prawns (large)

8 dried chillies (seeded for a mild flavour)

10 shallots

5 pips garlic

1 inch piece of fresh tumeric (about the size of your distal phalange of middle finger)

1 lemon grass

1 inch piece of belachan

Some limau purut/kaffir lime leaves (shredded or tore up)

Assam jawa (about 1 teaspoon), mixed with some water, a few tablespoon will do
Salt and sugar to taste

I usually buy large prawns as they are easier to work with.

Trim off the heads and sharp tail. It is so much easier to work with a pair of sharp scissors.

I would cut and slit down the back, to remove the intestines. This would also help the flavour of the ingredients to permeate into the prawn better. The slit down the back makes it easier to shell the prawns when you eat them. I do not shell the prawns to retain the sweet taste of the prawn. You could remove them if that is how you like it. And trim off legs (or swimmerets) if they seem untidy.

Method :

1. Grind the chillies, shallots, garlic, tumeric, lemon grass and belachan together.
2. Fry the ingredients in oil till fragrant.
3. Add prawns, fry in curry paste for a few minutes.
4. Add the kaffir lime leaves.
5. Add assam jawa juice, not too much if you like it dry.
6. Add sugar and salt to taste.
7. Simmer till prawns are cooked and sauce reduced.

 

Try it for yourself. Need I say more?

Our Singapore Trip

It was easy, just hop onto Air Asia for a direct flight. We (four of us, including my niece and nephew) touched down at Changi Airport, at about 11 a.m. The last time, my sister and I were visiting my brother and his family in Singapore was in December 2006.  I have forgotten the dates till I did some checking on my old passport. Back then, Air Asia only stops at Senai Airport, Johor Bahru.

We decided to try out the MRT from Changi Airport to Jurong East.  The trip was easy and we only have to pay S$4 plus each for the trip. My brother, then pick us up at Jurong East, enroute to his place.

The View

Little Quilin

We have not been to my brother’s new place and have been making plans to visit him for some time now. It is a nice, compact home with a fantastic view, particularly that of beautiful Little Quilin from their condominium window.

Little Quilin

Condo Grounds

Sunset View

We were there for 4 days, 3 nights. Spent some time shopping and sight seeing. Luckily for us our main objective was not sight seeing as entrance fees to most of the tourist attractions are exorbitant. (most places of interest charge more than one set of fees for their various attractions).

The Food Trail

We were literally on a sumptuous food trail, not unsimilar to those shown on television. We had a great time at the Golden Mile Food Centre, Beach Road. The variety of food there is just great and the chefs there have some great food, that is uniquely Singapore’s. We tried their Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee, their Beef Noodles, their Chilli Mee (with prawns and pork ribs) and Haji Kadir Sup Tulang. Sadly, we missed their Boneless Chicken Rice. (They were closed on that particular day).

When going for Food Courts, do go for those old food masters who have been serving these wonderful fares for years. Do not go for the new establishments, who have yet to build up their reputation, and not so uniquely outstanding. Yes, we did have some standard, average meals here and there, when they were conveniently around for us during those times when our stomachs or our legs directed us to the nearest available food.

We tried some great Japanese food at Nihon Mura Restaurant. Yummy, yummy. (that’s international, no?). It’s actually is English, origin unknown….more like baby talk, but international enough for me.

We had Kim Dae Mun Korean Food at the Juz Food Court aka Concorde Hotel Food Court. Admittedly, it is one of the best Korean Food you can find in Singapore. Another great lure at the Food Court is Red Rubies and Sago Gula Melaka dessert. I just bought some sago, and I hope I can come up with something nearly as good as theirs. After all, isn’t “Imitation, the best compliment.”

We had the infamous Singapore Chille Crab at Jumbo Seafood at Dempsey Road. Awesome, the ambience, the great food, the service :-) and of course ….. what they charged us.:-(

It was definitely a case of ‘too little stomach, too much food.’

Sightseeing

We made some lucky wishes at their Fountain of Wealth, Suntec City. We had to circle the small fountain below the largest fountain in the world, three(3) times to have our lucky wishes granted. A shame that we missed the ‘big one’ that evening, but you surely can’t have it all, anyway I would always opt for our alternative spectacle that evening.

Hajjah Fatimah Mosque

We were walking and lucky us, found ourselves right in front of the famous Hajjah Fatimah Mosque. The mosque is a national monument and is named after a wealthy businesswoman, whose generous donations were used to build the mosque. It is located at Beach Road, and is nicknamed the “leaning tower of Singapore”, because of its tilting unique minaret.

The Flyer

Marina Bay Sands

Lotus-Shaped ArtScience Museum

Merlion in the distance

TWG Tea Salon & Boutique (at The Shoppes)

Horse Statue at The Shoppes

Shoppers (at The Shoppes)

Lotus pond at ArtScience Museum

Lotus pond at ArtScience Museum

The SkyPark (at the Top)

We, especially me had a wonderful time at Marina Bay. We did not go up the Marina Bay Sands but being around the bay, practically took up the whole afternoon and evening. The view that evening was amazing. We were tired but the lights, the images and sounds really lifted our spirits and melted away, those aches crying from our tired muscles.  Please see for yourself!! Mine pictures taken on my compact Canon are not so good.

Marina Bay Sands is a spectacular creation by Moshe Safdie Architects. I, am most fascinated its cantilevered platform which houses the 340m long SkyPark and Infinity Pool. (which has a vanishing edge). The SkyPark has a public observatory deck, where you can get a 360 degree view of Singapore. Next to the Marina Bay Sands, three towers is a lotus like structure where the ArtScience Museum is. There are lots of beautiful pictures on Marina Bay Sands, just search for it on the internet.

These 2 links will give you some idea of what it is like.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Marina_Bay_Sands_model.jpg

http://www.greenteadesign.com/thedesigntree/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Marina-Bay-Sands-Singapore.jpg

Our outing to the Singapore Science Centre was a disappointment. Most of the displays at the Centre is over used and old. I could easily say I had more fun on the bus ride there than at the Science Centre. Oh oh, we botched on the stops, but it was fun. All routes, destinations and charges are clearly displayed at the bus stop. All you have to do is know where you are heading, when you are to alight and of course get ready some small change.

So Long

Glad we finally made it, holidays are the best. You get to meet the people you missed, you chat till the wee hours of the morning, you get to enjoy the taste of Singapore and you laugh at being together and at every silly little thing. I love the laughter most, it is so very light and refreshing, and of course the beautiful views and sights.

Each time, I am back from Singapore, I would miss all the neatness and convenience of a fabulous public transport system. I used to think that maybe I would get to enjoy such convenient facilities in Malaysia when I am old but not anymore. I have given up that dream and hope. It is depressing when you think about it, for me and for the millions of public commuters in Malaysia.

Singapore is the most expensive city in the world, (latest statistics). More so with our Malaysian Ringgit conversion, Malaysia sure has to work on catching up. It is a tight race between Singapore and Hong Kong, but that is one race most would rather not be the winner.

Lights Display at Changi Airport

If only Malaysia could make it so easy and attractive for Singaporeans, tourists to cross over to Malaysia, do their shopping, feast on our food and enjoy our sights, would not that do a lot for our economy. If only we can improve on the traffic jams and immigration jams.

All in all, it was a happy, tiring trip for the not so young ladies. Guess, playing host and hostess is tiring and happy too especially if you have very busy schedules.

I always feel a little bit blue when I am back home. Funny thing now that I am older, I do miss home, just a teeny bit when away, especially on the first day.